I've been watching him for my entire life
I hate the air he breathes, his foolish decrees, his words so contrived
& I hate the way the townspeople gather outside
they hang on every breath, cling to his chest, home to his heart full of pride
the oracle told him to beware the ides
& I'd be lying if I said I wasn't wishing for untimely death or demise
or am I just wishing I could be like you?
that the people would see me too as a poet
and not just the muse
oh it's not true, I don't wish harm upon you
from birth we've been like brothers, of different mothers, within the spirit of the same womb
may the gods strike me down if I forsake you
frater meus
you're beautifully made & to you I'm forever grateful
I'll never forget that you showed me to make art
and I know the love you showed me came from a pure & noble heart
I love you & if you want I'll call you king
but why do I lie awake each night thinking
instead of you, it should be me?
something wicked this way comes
& as I set to face it I'm unsure should I embrace it, should I run?
what motivates me - hatred or is it love?
what's more wrong - that I too wish to be great or my mother wished she'd had a son?
and even if I can't be the one, maybe I could at least help make way for him until the day that he comes
maybe my name could also be known -
that I helped return good to the people
and restored greatness to Rome
Male Chorus:
BRUTUS, BRUTUS, BRUTUS, BRUTUS (x4)
my name is brutus and my name means heavy
so with a heavy heart I'll guide this dagger into the heart of my enemy
my whole life you were a teacher and friend to me
please know my actions are not motivated only by envy
I too have a destiny
this death will be art
the people will speak of this day from near and afar
this event will be history
& I'll be great too
I don't want what you have
I wanna be you
I always knew I could be the one
though I feel the endless pain of being & I am scorched by the sun
of humble origins and born of the cursed sex
my name is Brutus but the people will call me Rex
